Definition of insanity

With the announcement that the new Greek government of the New Democracy party (in alliance with PASOK and the Democratic Left party) has been formed, we now know the definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

ANTONIS SAMARIS, GREEK PRIME MINISTER (voiceover translation): I’m asking the Greek people to show patriotism, solidarity and trust, and with God’s help we will do whatever we can to get Greece out of this crisis.

PHILIP WILLIAMS: The three parties will face immediate challenges, attempting to renegotiate the harsh bailout conditions with European creditors who are in no mood to compromise.

The bailout money has been keeping the Government afloat, but only just.

This queue is for free medical care in central Athens. All the doctors and nurses are volunteers with Doctors of the World, an organisation usually found in the Third World. Their patients, mainly migrants, but increasingly poor Greeks are lining up for treatment too.

Faith Njeri from Kenya developed diabetes in Greece, but without proper papers, the overstretched Greek health system offered no help.

FAITH NJERI, PATIENT: I was to be admitted, but they didn’t admit because I don’t have paper, I don’t anything.

PHILIP WILLIAMS: Qualified nurse Fatouma Ahmada volunteers here. She has plenty of spare time. With no papers, she can’t find work and shares the predicament of many of her clients.

FATOUMA AHMADA, VOLUNTEER NURSE: I don’t have nothing good to eat, to sleep. I don’t can to think another, another, think. It’s like me, I am die.

PHILIP WILLIAMS: Even this Palestinian doctor who did not want to be identified said she’s about to become homeless because she has no money, no passport, no future.

PALESTINIAN DOCTOR: When I get the Greek nationality, maybe in future I will go Canada, I think about Canada, North Africa, Australia, something far away, because I want to live.

PHILIP WILLIAMS: Outside the parliament, old rituals are still played out, Greeks hoping the more recent tradition of political mayhem is behind them.

So finally Greece does have its government, but this is by no means the ends of the crisis; the continuing drama that appears to have no end.

Like this:

Something Williams forgot to mention is that at least some New Democracy politicians seem to be playing catch up with Golden Dawn…

That would explain why the police does nothing against GD thugs who stop and harass bus passengers suspected of being foreigners. Or why the guy who punched the old lady in front of the cameras was not arrested.